Camouflage equipment



. March 26, 1968 K. A. s. SAMUELSON CAMOUFLAGE EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1965 FIG.3

FIG.2

INVENTOR. Knui Au usi 51 1mm! SamueLs BY PM United States Patent Ofifice 3,374,7918 Patented Mar. 26, 1968 3,374,798 CAMOUFLAGE EQUIPMENT Kuut August Sigvard Samuelson, Stockholm, Sweden, as-

signor to Licentia, Ekman & Brundin, Stockholm, Sweden Filed Nov. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 510,195 Claims priority, application Sweden, Dec. 7, 1964,

14,763/ 64 4 Claims. (Cl. 135-20) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A readily transportable camouflaging device comprises a shaft; a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to the shaft adjacent one end of the latter and directed laterally in various directions from the shaft (after the manner of an umbrella) and camouflage net means supported on the ribs. The ribs are arranged in series, one over the other, to provide at least two groups of ribs, and are of varying lengths mutually and in the various series. A slide displaceable on the shaft and lockable in at least one position therealong is connected to said ribs through link means, for presenting the ribs in more or less extended portions. 7

Modern reconnaissance has shown that camouflaged objects, especially large objects such as cannons, tanks, motor vehicles and the like, when camouflaged in the conventional manner are often relatively easy to detect because the objects often exhibit more or less regular contours which attract attention during aerial reconnaissance Where photographs are usually taken to aid in the search. It has now been found that detection can be made exceedingly ditficult by breaking up the contours and thus imitating the characteristics of natural vegetation. Therefore it is important that camouflaging be carried out to give the impression of tree or bush vegetation with irregular contours. In addition the camouflaging must be achieved in a very short period and with a minimum of personnel. Camouflage equipment must be easy to handle and it is preferable if the masking can be done by a single person. It is also desired that the equipment be easily transported and not exceedingly bulky.

The present invention concerns a camouflaging device which is easily transported and makes possible rapid and effective masking of the object, and is characterized mainly in that it comprises a shaft or rod-shaped part which supports a number of ribs or spokes extending radially in various directions from the shaft and wherein the ribs support the camouflaging element or pieces of such an element. The camouflaging element comprises suitably a known camouflage net or pieces thereof which are preferably so arranged as to cover the whole area which is traversed by the ribs. In order to further increase the camouflaging effect and prevent observation from the side, such as from a low flying plane, the camouflage element is applied so that portions hang down particularly at edges of the area over which the ribs extend. The ribs are suitably arranged in parasol or umbrella fashion in one or more groups, one group above the other, so that when the ribs are in their extended positions they slant downward and/or upward and have different lengths.

Other characteristics of the invention are set out in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which shows a suitable embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention seen from the side without the camouflage element applied thereto.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. I viewed from above.

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a folded condition.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show, respectively, the views of FIGS. 1 and 2 after the camouflage material has been applied.

As can easily be seen the camouflage equipment of the present invention is very easy to handle and with its help any object, regardless of size, can be effectively camouflaged. The pointed end of the shaft can be driven into the ground and the device can be located to conceal foxholes, trenches, tunnel entrances to underground shelters, and the like.

The drawing shows an umbrella-like device which is collapsible and comprises a shaft or rod-shaped support column 1, suitably a tube, which may be furnished with a point 1a at its lower end to be driven into the ground or to be introduced into a holder, such as a sleeve, located on an object to be camouflaged. The inserted end may be tightly clamped by means of an eccentric cam or the like (not shown) or fixed in place by a pin 9 passing through the end. A movable slide 2 is located on tube 1 and can be held at any desired height by means of an eccentric cam or peg passing through the tube (suitably furnished with holes) at chosen positions along the tubes length, these alternatives not being illustrated in the draW- ing. The slide 2 is pivotally connected by means of flexible struts or links 3 with ribs 4 and 5 which in turn are pivotally connected at one end to an element 6 which may be fixed or lockably located adjacent one end of tube 1. By moving slide 2 up or down along tube 1 it is possible to extend or collapse the camouflage arrangement after the manner of a parasol or umbrella.

In the folded condition shown in FIG. 3 the equipment is easily transported with or without the camouflage net 10. The camouflage net is suitably attached to the ribs and can remain attached when the equipment is collapsed.

Ribs 4 and 5 are or preferably may be disposed in at least two groups disposed one above the other. The ribs preferably vary in length with respect to each other. Moreover, links 3 are pivotally connected to the ribs at points 4a, 5a, which vary in distance from the attachment ends of the ribs. Top element 6 preferably is in the form of a horizontal block provided with a plurality of spaced slots 6a for the reception of pivotal connections with ribs 4 and 5. Similarly, slide 2 is slotted about its circumference at places 2a for pivotal attachment of links 3 thereto.

Other characteristics of the camouflage equipments construction and operation can be clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. By varying the lengths of the ribs and the connection points of links 3 it is possible to increase the unsymmetrical impression given by the invention. When camouflaging vehicles or other mobile equipment one can allow the camouflage equipment to remain in its holder, either extended or collapsed, while the camouflaged object is being moved. Obviously the arrangement can be built in various sizes and shapes. Changes in details are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Tube 1 may be furnished at section 7 with a channel or holder for receiving a branch, tree top, bush, etc., to further increase the camouflage effect.

Field tests with arrangements according to the invention have shown that a high degree of camouflaging is achieved and detection by aerial reconnaissance is very difficult.

What I claim is:

1. A camouflage device comprising, in combination, a shaft;

a plurality of ribs arranged in at least two groups, each rib supported at one end thereof by said shaft and extending laterally therefrom in various directions;

at least one camouflage element supported by said ribs;

slide means slidable on said shaft; and link means flexibly connecting said ribs to said slide means;

the said ends of said ribs pivotably connected to the top end of said shaft and said links pivotally connected to said ribs at points which vary in distances from said ends attached to said shaft.

2. Camouflage equipment according to claim 1 wherein said ribs can be locked in an extended position pointing outward from said shaft and wherein said ribs Within at least one group, when in their extended positions, form unequal angles with said shaft.

3. Camouflage device, consisting essentially of a shaft which adjacent one end thereof umbrella-like supports a plurality of ribs directed laterally in various directions from the shaft, said ribs being pivotally connected to said shaft and arranged in series, one over the other and being pivotally connected to link means pivotally connected with a slide, which slide is displaceable on the shaft and which is suitably lockable in at least one certain position on the shaft, and camouflage elements supported on said ribs.

4. Device according to claim 3, in which for further 2. increase of the camouflage eflect the camouflage elements are arranged on the ribs so as to form parts that hang down and prevent observation from the side of the camouflage device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,589,299 6/1926 Metzger 21 1178 XR 2,599,513 6/1952 Griffin 2l1-18O XR 2,851,807 9/1958 Taylor a- 16l24 XR 2,923,449 2/1960 Sund 211l78 FOREIGN PATENTS 729,329 12/1942 Germany. 830,124 1/1952 Germany.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assisfant Examiner. 

